Brief contact with fox's tail (5)
I believe the answer is:
brush
This clue is a double definition.
'brief contact' is the first definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'fox's tail' is the second definition.
(I've seen this before)
'with' is the link.
(Other definitions for brush that I've seen before include "Tool for cleaning or painting" , "Cleaning implement" , "Sweep" , "Sweeping implement" , "Undergrowth, fox tail" .)